Invader Zim Archives

Happiest of Tuesdays, comic fans! Welcome back to your Richmond Comics X-Change: GalaxyCon 2020 Preview Edition. This week we see the opening of GalaxyCon in Richmond, and for year two, we are going to get you prepared just in time to meet all of your favorite actors, comic book authors, and — for the auto nerds out there — even a few of your favorite sci-fi and fantasy vehicles that will be in attendance this year, as well.

February 28th marks not only the opening of GalaxyCon’s Richmond dates, but the second year of GalaxyCon making its appearance in the River City. GalaxyCon has been a gem for central Virginia for many reasons, but undeniably because of the guests. GalaxyCon has brought in a variety of people from various films, television series, comics, and even anime that fans in Virginia otherwise would not have a chance to encounter without traveling quite a distance.

As we inch ever closer to the big event, we at RVA Magazine have compiled a to-do list of comics we recommend you check out before this weekend — or if time is not your friend, in some cases a film or two — just to catch you up to speed. While this is by no means a complete list of all of the guests in attendance, it should be sufficient enough to have you ready to walk in to the convention center to take on anything. Let’s dive in.

Gotham Academy Vol. 1, by Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, and Karl Kerschl

Only in Gotham City can a prestigious prep school for the elite be so much more, and so much weirder than it looks. Gotham Academy is a monthly teen drama featuring occasional appearances by, naturally, Bruce Wayne (who is a benefactor of the school) and many secret ties to old Gotham. Cloonan will be in attendance at this weekend’s festivities and is best known as, among other things, the first woman to draw Batman for DC comics.

Clerks. The Comic Books, by Kevin Smith, Jim Mahfood, Phil Hester, and Ande Parks

Smith didn’t just manage to catch lightning in a bottle when he created the iconic comedy Clerks, he dumped it all over the place in what resulted in the View Askewniverse franchise (named after his production company, View Askew, which he owns with longtime friend and business partner Scott Mosier). As the story goes, one of the ways Smith financed the production of the film was by selling off his comic book collection; in the end, it only makes sense that his magnum opus received the comics treatment as well. The series features the ongoing stories of the main characters from the film — Dante Hicks, Randal Graves, Jay, and Silent Bob (snootch). Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, and Jason Mewes (who played Dante, Randal, and Jay respectively) will all be in attendance this weekend along with Shannon Elizabeth (who was in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back as Justice, Jay’s love interest).
Related Film Recommendation: Clerks (of course), and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.

Green Lantern: Sleepers: Book 1, by Christopher Priest and Mike Baron

The Green Lantern seems to have it all. He’s a member of the Justice League, and he’s the heir to the greatest weapon in the universe: the iconic Green Lantern ring. The problem? It looks like his girlfriend is in love with a normie who is about to become the most powerful villain he has ever faced. Awkward. One of writer Christopher Priest’s claims to fame is as the first African American editor in mainstream comics. The heroes he has helped shape besides Green Lantern include Black Panther and Deathstroke. Priest will be in attendance this weekend.
Related Film Recommendation: Black Panther (Let’s forget that the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern flick ever happened).

Clue: Candlestick #1, by Dash Shaw

Shaw, who is a Richmond native and will be making an appearance at GalaxyCon this weekend, makes his own twists and impressions on the classic mystery story by reimagining it as a psychological drama. Spoiler: It’s always Colonel Mustard. Always.

Emitown Vol. 1, by Emi Lenox

From the comedy to the tragedy, cartoonist Emi Lenox, who will be there this weekend, drops her diary in graphics to the world. Originally starting out as a web comic, Emitown was eventually picked up by Image Publishing for publication.

The Walking Dead: Compendium One, by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn, and Tony Moore

This iconic series needs no introduction. Originally introduced in 2003 and unexpectedly ending in July 2019, the beloved comic spawned a long-running series on AMC of the same name. GalaxyCon guest Michael Rooker played Merle Dixon (brother to Daryl) in the first three seasons of the series before meeting his demise.
Related Television Recommendation: The Walking Dead, of course.

Invader Zim Vol. 1, by Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart, and Aaron Alexovich

The king of quirk and Hot Topic t-shirt sales, Invader Zim, is back in the last few years in the form of a comic series, though #50 will be the last before a quarterly series begins. Originally beginning as a cartoon on Nickelodeon in 2001, the show followed the misadventures of an alien named Zim looking for world domination with the help (or lack thereof) from his robot sidekick, Gir. The show was ended after two seasons, but revived in 2015 as a comic. Voice actors Richard Horvitz and Ricki Simmons (Zim and Gir respectively) will be there to fill the doom-shaped hole in your heart.
Related Television Recommendation: Invader Zim

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: The Final Gauntlet, by Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw

Starlord is back, the world is on fire, and Thanos is finally dead…. Kind of? Fans of the popular films will be sure to enjoy digging deeper into the universe with our favorite 80s songbird, Peter Quill, and his friends. Sean Gunn is best known as Kraglin in the series, and will be in attendance this weekend.
Related Film Recommendation: Avengers: Endgame

All-Star Superman, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

In this retelling of the classic Superman mythos, our favorite hero battles Bizarro and Zibarro Superman and tackles the revenge of Lex Luthor, amongst other tales. Superman is one of the most retold stories in comics history, with one of the best interpretations undeniably being the television series, Smallville. Starring Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum (who will both be in attendance) as Clark and Lex respectively, the series watches the man of steel grow as a teenager and all of the pitfalls that entails.
Related Television Recommendation: Smallville

Disney Princess Comic Strips Collections, by Amy Mebberson

In a tale as old as time, even Disney princesses get the comics treatment. While the princesses have always had their own comics, Mebberson’s touch is quirky, fun, and dressed in adorable artwork. While Mebberson will not be in attendance this weekend, we can do you three better. Linda Larkin, Scott Weinger, and Gilbert Gottfried (Princess Jasmine, Aladdin, and Iago respectively) will all be there to answer your questions about a whole new world with you.
Film Recommendation: Aladdin (2019) – While the Disney remakes are a hot topic, this new take on the classic tale starring Will Smith brings its own touch to the classic animated film that can’t be missed.

That does it for us this week, comic fans. We leave you today with plenty of homework ahead of you, but much like us, we bet you’re counting down the minutes until the doors open at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Friday at noon. We’ll hopefully see you this weekend at the convention! Otherwise, until next time, comic fans.

Top Photo: GalaxyCon 2019, by Ash Griffith

Good afternoon and happy holidays, comic fans of the RVA! Welcome to yet another riveting issue of your RVA Comics X-Change — your biweekly go-to stop for what is new and good in the land of comics and pop culture! I hope you filled up on turkey and stuffing over the weekend because while this week is slim pickings for your recommendations, there is still a damn delicious surprise for you at the end.

In the form of a wonderful Infinity War Sequel Trailer that is allegedly coming out this week. Oh, yes. Let’s do this.

Stranger Things #3 by Jody Houser, Stefano Martino, Keith Champagne, Lauren Affe, Aleksi Briclot

It is absolutely no secret that I will go hard for any and everything to do with Stranger Things (I see you, Hopper). It makes me so happy in my tiny, dark little heart that this mini-series exploring just what the frick Will Byers went through in the Upside Down absolutely did not disappoint. The only thing that bites is the fact that we’re in the home stretch for this series, as issue #3 of 4 drops tomorrow. Sigh.

Black Panther vs. Deadpool #2 by Daniel Kibblesmith, Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, Ryan Benjamin

It’s another open secret that I love Deadpool and anything his red latex hand touches. Much like the other 98% of America, I was obsessed with Black Panther this year, so to see these two cross paths this week? So. Here. For. It. Clapping. Hand. Emoji.

Clueless Volume 2 : One Last Summer by Amber Benson, Siobhan Keenan, Natacha Bustos, Sarah Kuhn

There are few things that I love more in this world than tacky, smarter-than-they-were-ever-given-credit-for romantic comedies of the 90s. Clueless, with Alicia Silverstone and resident immortal Paul Rudd, is pretty high up on that list. And now there is a graphic novel series about the film? AND it’s written by Amber Benson aka Tara from Buffy? Oh, let’s go, y’all.

Spider-Girls #2 by Jody Houser, Andres Genolet, Yasmine Putri

No matter how far I stray, I always find myself crawling back to the Spidey universe, where it all started for me. This three part series is not only a Spider-Geddon tie in, but focuses on the three most prominent Spider-Girls — May Parker, Anya Corazon, and Annie May Parker — as they go up against The Inheritors. And naturally hijinks ensue, as they do.

Invader Zim #37 by Sam Logan, Kate Sherron, Warren Wucinich, Fred Stresing

Did anyone know that Invader Zim is still a thing, and that it isn’t written by Jhonen Vasquez anymore, I guess? Who knew! Relive your mall goth days of hanging around Hot Topic with a venti frappuccino from Starbucks with this long-running series that continues on Wednesday.

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. The new Infinity War (2? Electric Boogaloo?) trailer was originally supposed to drop this past weekend for Thanksgiving. Obviously that didn’t happen, so theories started circulating about when and how it may drop. A popular one for a day or two was that it would drop on December 13th, due to a combined theory having to do with the countdown on the official website and the fact that allegedly there is a huge football game that night (unless it’s hockey. Then I don’t know, y’all. As Lestrade would say, “Not my division”).

Now it is being heavily pushed that we will get it this week, specifically on Wednesday. But will it happen? While some are doubtful, many signs are pointing to yes, especially since The Russo Brothers, who directed the film, are doing a panel in Hollywood for Marvel tomorrow. So if we do get the trailer (and ideally the title of the film), it will be then.

What are your predictions, for either the film itself or when we will get the film? Where are you with this?

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 38 (GalaxyCon 2020 Preview Edition)

RVA Mag Comics X-Change: Issue 7